Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 25, 2018

No write-in candidate has ever won elected office in the Sunshine State, but they have been effective in denying tens of thousands of voters from getting a say in who will represent them in the Florida Legislature. Florida law allows all voters, no matter their political affiliation, to cast a ballot in a primary race […]

Drew WilsonMay 9, 2018

Karen Skyers showed nearly $33,000 in contributions in her inaugural campaign finance report, putting her in the driver’s seat in the crowded Democratic Primary to replace Tampa Rep. Sean Shaw, who is leaving the House to run for Attorney General. Skyers brought in 174 contributions in April, with the vast majority coming in from small-dollar […]

Drew WilsonApril 3, 2018

Former public defender and lobbyist Karen Skyers announced via Twitter Tuesday that she is entering the race for Hillsborough-based House District 61. Skyers, a Democrat, joins Sharon Carter, Norman Harris, Dianne Hart and Byron Henry in the primary race. HD 61 is opening up in the fall due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw foregoing […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 17, 2018

Democrat Dianne Hart announced Wednesday that she will give it another go in House District 61, which is opening up this year due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw’s entry into the Attorney General race. “I know firsthand the struggles and the needs facing this District and spent a lifetime working to help our children […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 15, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is going digital. The statewide business advocacy group is poised to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on digital advertising targeting likely primary voters in key legislative races. The campaign, according to a memo obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, will feature 15-second biographical spots on mobile devices and social media, and will […]

Mitch PerryJune 20, 2016

Democrat Dianne Hart has received the endorsement of the Florida Retail Federation PAC in the race for the Florida House District 61 seat. “As a small business owner and retailer for more than 30 years, Dianne Hart knows how important our industry is to the success of our state, and will do her part to support her […]

Mitch PerryJune 1, 2016

Tampa attorney Sean Shaw, running for the House District 61 seat based in Tampa, has received the endorsement of Tampa Firefighters Local 754. “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day,” Shaw said in a statement released on Wednesday. “To have the support of our Tampa Firefighters is truly humbling. I’m honored to […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2016

House District 61 hopeful Sean Shaw said Monday he’s raised more than $20,000 during his first 20 days of campaigning. “Our supporters have stepped up in a big way,” Shaw said in a prepared statement. “They know I’ll work hard for our families and make our streets safer for our children. As our Consumer Advocate, as […]

Drew WilsonMarch 21, 2016

A second Democrat has filed to take over for first-term Democratic Rep. Ed Narain in the Hillsborough County-based House District 61. Businesswoman Dianne Hart announced she would run for the seat Friday, joining former insurance consumer advocate and fellow Democrat Sean Shaw in the race. “I was born and raised in District 61 where I […]

Mitch PerryMarch 14, 2016

Sean Shaw, who lost a bitterly fought contest to fellow Democrat Ed Narain in the House District 61 race in 2014, said Monday he’ll run again for the seat now that Narain in running for state Senate. “Ed Narain has been a fantastic Representative for our district,” said Shaw in a prepared statement. “I had […]

Tag: House District 61
Image via AP.

Write-ins lock down five state legislative primary races

Karen Skyers’ first finance report puts her atop HD 61 field

Karen Skyers enters race to succeed Sean Shaw in HD 61

Dianne Hart already emerging as frontrunner to replace Sean Shaw in HD 61

Florida Chamber makes big digital investment in key legislative races

Florida Retail Federation PAC endorses Dianne Hart in HD 61 race

Tampa Firefighters union backs Sean Shaw in HD 61 race

Sean Shaw off to quick start in HD 61 fundraising

2nd Democrat files to replace Ed Narain in HD 61

Sean Shaw to run for Tampa House District 61 seat